Apparatus for side pick up refuse collection

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for collecting refuse and loading the refuse onto a side-loading, refuse collection vehicle having a bed and a loading compartment with a top opening aperture therein, characterized by: a trash container that includes a sloping front wall for dumping the trash from the container when it is inverted, doors, loading hooks, and a pair of arcuate track engaging means for maintaining the container in place when it is inverted onto the bed of the vehicle and preventing escape of trash; a pair of arcuate tracks mounted on the vehicle; a base connected to the front of the bed of the vehicle so as to accommodate lateral motion of a pick up arm; and an extensible and retractable L-shaped cantilever pick up arm for being moved outwardly to pick up, invert, and lower the trash container by its hooks responsive to operation of the controls by only a driver of the vehicle, without requiring rolling of the container into position by a helper. Also disclosed are preferred structural embodiments, including safety catches and the like.

United States Patent [19] Sutton [451 Jan. 22, 1974 [54] APPARATUS FOR SIDE PICK UP REFUSE COLLECTION [76] Inventor:

Rd., Fort Worth, Tex. 76118 [22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 297,687

[52] US. Cl. 214/302, 214/317 [51] Int. Cl B65f 3/02 [58] Field of Search... 214/301, 302, 303, 313, 315,

Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J. Oresky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wofford, Felsman & Fails William H. Sutton, 7400 Smithtield [57] 1 ABSTRACT Apparatus for collecting refuse and loading the refuse onto a side-loading, refuse collection vehicle having a bed and a loading compartment with a top opening aperture therein, characterized by: a trash container that includes a sloping front wall for dumping the trash from the container when it is inverted, doors, loading hooks, and a pair of arcuate track engaging means for maintaining the container in place when it is inverted onto the bed of the vehicle and preventing escape of trash; a pair of arcuate tracks mounted on the vehicle; a base connected to the front of the bed of the vehicle so as to accommodate lateral motion of a pick up arm; and an extensible and retractable L shaped cantilever pick up arm for being moved outwardly to pick up, invert, and lower the trash container by its hooks responsive to operation of the controls by only a driver of the vehicle, without requiring rolling of the container into position by a helper. Also disclosed are preferred structural embodiments, including safety catches and the like.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 2 21974 SHEEIIBFZ APPARATUS FOR SIDE PICK UP REFUSE COLLECTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally. to trash and similar refuse collection and disposal. More particularly, this invention relates to apparatus for refuse collection in which the containers are left at the points of collection to be filled with the refuse that is, thereafter, loaded from the side onto a vehicle as it makes its rounds, by lifting and inverting of the trash container. The trash container is normally dumped at the forward loading compartment of a refuse collecting truck bed that has means for compacting the refuse in another part of the bed, and is replaced on the ground for future use after it is unloaded.

2. Description of the Prior Art Disposition of refuse has long been a problem but has grown particularly acute in modern times with larger urban concentrations of population. Modern conventional systems of refuse collection and disposal are well known; for example, one is delineated in US. Pat. No. 3,001,655. Briefly, refuse containers that may or may not be mounted on casters for mobility are customarily stationed at various points for deposit of refuse therein. Periodically, a vehicle having arefuse collection bed is driven by; and an appropriate elevating and dumping mechanism dumps the loaded trash container into the vehicle refuse collection bed. These beds usually have an opening in the'top through which the container contents are deposited and are equipped with a packer blade and operating mechanism therefore. After the contents of a plurality of containers have been deposited into a loading compartment, the packer blade is mechanically activated to push-the accumulated mass of material into what is termed a storage compartment of the bed, as distinguished from the loading compartment.

This invention is not concerned. with the packer blade and its operating mechanism, since they are well known and do not, per se, form a part of this invention.

One urgent need in modern refuse collection has been a good side pick up collection system for picking up trash in the narrow confines of alleys and the like. Side pick up collection containers and vehicles employing the containers have been used. These containers have required casters; and, therefore, required something equivalent to a concrete slab so they could be moved freely to be hitched to the truck mounted hoisting apparatus, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,001,655; 3,269,572; and 3,452,891, to name a few of the many patents in this field. These side loading systems have required a helper or the driver to get out of the truck and attach the collection container to the hoisting apparatus and then get back into the truck to manipulate the power controls to do the hoisting and dumping. Additionally, the helper or driver has to lower the collection container, disengage it and roll it out of the way. All of this is time consuming and usually requires extra labor in order to meet the collection schedule with a given refuse collection vehicle.

Insofar as I am aware, the prior art has not provided apparatus for side pick up refusecollection that has the following advantageous features: (1) no worker has to get out of the vehicle to hitch the side loading apparatus of the vehicle onto the trash container, to hoist the trash container, to empty the trash container or to return and re-position the trash container; (2) the trash container is self-emptying and self-sealing at its juncture with the vehicle bed when being emptied in its inverted position; (3) the trash container may be economically formed without requiring casters or other roll around devices and the requisite reinforcing on its bottom; (4) the trash container does not require a concrete slab or equivalent on which to be rolled around manually; (5) the trash container can be employed in alleys or close quarters easily with only a vehicle driver required; (6) the apparatus does not require complicated and expensive over-the-cab or rear-end hoisting and mounting apparatus with a multiplicity of lifting arms; (7) apparatus that has simple controls that eliminate human error in positioning the vehicle, therebyeliminating intolerable and excessive forces that result in damage; (8) the hoisting apparatus can be easily adapted onto existing and conventional vehicle bodies to convert them to the advantageous apparatus of this invention; and (9) the vehicle does not require large, cumbersome, multi-armed pick up means that blocks view and increases the likelihood of an accident.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for side pick up refuse collection that obviates the disadvantages of the prior art and provides one or more of the following advantageous features delineated hereinbefore.

Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for side pick up refuse collection that provides all of the advantageous features delineated hereinbefore.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following descriptive matter, particularly when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is an oblique isometric view of a complete apparatus for side pick up refuse collection in accordance with one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view showing the upper and lower doors and the track engaging mean of the trash container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the track engaging means taken along the lines IIIIII of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view, partly schematic, showing the safety catch on the loading hook of the trash container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view, partly in section, showing the extensible and retractable pick up arm of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines VIVI of the pick up arm of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a rear view, partly schematic, of the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing in dashed lines a variety of positions of the trash container and the pick up arm during the dumping operation.

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic view showing the hydraulic interconnection between the lifting means, the extending means and a high pressure source of fluid on the vehicle.

DESCRIPT ION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ment 17 having a top opening aperture 19 therein. The apparatus 11 comprises the major elements or subassemblies of trash container 21, arcuate tracks 23 and .25 on the bed 15, base 27 for accommodating lateral motion of a pick up arm, an extensible and retractable L-shaped cantilever pick up arm 29, and lifting means 31 for lifting the pick up arm 29 and the trash container 21 for dumping. The trash container 21, per se, represents a new an useful improvement. It has a bottom 33, FIG. 7, rear wall 35, side walls 37, FIG. 1, and top 39. The rear wall 35 and side walls 37 have their adjacent edges connected together and connected with the bottom 33 and top 39 to define thereby regular body. The respective edges may be connected together, as by welding, or the entire body or any portion thereof may be stamped with large dies from suitable sheet material, such as steel. Any other acceptable economical method of construction may be employed in forming the body of the trash container.

A front wall 41 is'connected with the bottom 33 and the side walls 37 so as to form an obtuse angle with the bottom 33 such that refuse will be dumped from the container when it is lifted and inverted. Ordinarily, the trash container 21 is inverted through an angle a greater than 90 and less than 180, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The front wall 41 does not extend as high as does rear wall 35 in order to allow for doors.

The trash container 21 has an upper front door 43 that is hingedly connected with the top 39, as by hinge 45. The upper front door 43 is adapted to hang; in a normally closed position by gravity. It is adapted to be swung inwardly manually for deposition of refuse and to be swung outwardly by the force of gravity when the container is lifted and inverted through the angle a. The upper door preferably has its lower edge meshing with the upper edge of a lower front door 47. The lower front door 47 is hingedly connected, as by hinge 49 with the top edge of the front wall 41. The lower front door 47 is adapted to be swung outwardly open by the force of gravity when the container 21 is lifted and inverted through the'angle a; and to be swung closed by the bed when the container 21 is lowered and uprighted from its inverted position. The lower front door 47 is normallly inclined inwardly from its bottom edge to its top in its closed position so a to prevent influx of rainwater into the container when the container 21 is left outdoors. FIG. 2 shows the meshing engagement of the upper front door 43 with the lower front door 47 and shows, in dashed lines 61, the pushing of the door inwardly for deposition of refuse and, in dashed lines 63, the swinging open of the upper front door by gravity when the container 21 is inverted for dumping. FIG. 2 also shows the internal stop 65 for holding the upper end of the lower front door 47 in place, as well as showing, in dashed lines 67, the movement of the lower front door 47 into its open position by gravity during the dumping.

The trash container 21 carries a pair of loading hooks 51 and 53 on its top 39. The loading hooks are dis posed, one each near each side wall 37 and are spaced apart a sufficient distance that the front to rear plane of the center of gravity of the container, even when loaded, is located therebetween. Each of the loading hooks has an opening 55 that is readily accessible from the front to facilitate attachment of a lifting arm for lifting the container 21. As illustrated, the loading hooks S1 and 53 are formed generally in the shape of inverted .Js with the opening 55 between the short side of the .l

and the top 39. The loading hooks may be welded to the top 39 or fixed by any other suitable equivalent means, such as having a base plate that is bolted onto the top 39.

To ensure that the loading hooks 51 and 53 do not become disengaged from their lifting arm, a safety catch 71, FIG. 4, is provided on each loading hook. FIG. 4 illustrates the inverted J shape of the loading hook 53 as well as the opening 55. FIG. 4 is schematic in the sense that dashed lines are employed to illustrate action of the safety catch 71. Specifically, as the trash container 21 is inverted such that its top 39 assumes the position indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 4, the eccentrically mounted safety catch is moved by gravity to the position illustrated in dashed lines 73 to maintain engagement with the generally horizontal lifting arm 75. Any attempt for the trash container 21 to slide downwardly thereafter, illustrated as the upward arrow 77, FIG. 4, then wedges the angled safety catch more tightly against the lifting arm 75 and ensures that there is no slipping of the trash container 21, even when inverted or when it is being lowered following its inverted position, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

The trash container 21 has a pair of arcuate track engaging means 57 and 59 for encountering and engaging a pair of tracks on the vehicle 13 during the lifting and inverting of the container. The respective track engaging means 57 and 59 are disposed one on each side of the front doors 43 and 47 such that the container encounters the tracks 23 and 25 on the vehicle to be properly inverted and emptied regardless of whether the operation is carried out on level terrain or not. A cross sectional view of one of the track engaging means 57 is illustrated in FIG. 3. As can be seen, the track engaging means 57 has a generally arcuate cross sectional shape, too, with its respective side walls and bottom for engaging the tracks 23 and 25. Once engaged therewith, the bottom 69 of the track engaging means slides by friction along the respective track such as track 23.

The degree of arcuateness longitudinally of the track engaging means 57 and 59 is the same as the degree of arcuateness longitudinally of the tracks 23 and 25, at least at the top inverted position of the trash container 21 for unloading such that a conforming fit is obtained and scatter of refuse is prevented during dumping. Preferably, the track engaging means 57 and 59 have a circular shape, as viewed from the side of the trash container 21 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7.

The pair of arcuate tracks 23 and 25 are mounted on the bed 15 of the vehicle 13 so as to traverse along the front and rear sides, or edges, of the top-opening aperture 19. Preferably, the tracks 23 and 25 are adapted to support the weight of a filled trash container 21 by way of engagement with its track engaging means 57 and 59. As indicated hereinbefore, the tracks 23 and 25 have a degree of arcuateness that is preferably the same as that of the track engaging means 57 and 59; and is preferably circular. As illustrated, the tracks 23 and 25 comprise circular rails disposed about the circular bed 15. The tracks 23 and 25 have appreciable thickness so as to tolerate wear by the frictional and sliding engagement with the track engaging means 57 and 59. The tracks may be formed integrally with the bed 15 or they may be attached by any suitable means, as by welding, riveting, or bolting to the bed 15. A great deal will depend upon whether the tracks 23 and 25 are formed with the bed or are added in converting a given vehicle 13 to the improved apparatus and trash collection sys tem of this invention.

The base 27 is connected to the front end of the bed and is adapted to support and to accommodate lateral motion of the pick up arm 29. The base 27 is affixed by any suitable means; such as, welding, bolting or riveting to the front end 79 of the bed 15. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the base 27 has a pair of plates 81 and 83 that are riveted to the front end 79 by rivets 85. The

base 27 includes a shaft 87 that extends generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 13 so as to accommodate pivotal motion of the pick up arm 29 laterally of the vehicle 13. A

The pick up arm 29 is an extensible and retractable, L-shaped cantilever arm. The pick up arm 29 has a cantilever support portion 89, a longitudinal shaft 91 having a cantilever lifting arm 75 extending laterally thereof, and an extending means 93 for extending and retracting the longitudinal shaft 91 with respect to the cantilever support portion 89. The cantilever support portion 89 is mounted for pivotal movement, as by bearings 111, on shaft 87 of the base 27. The bearings are retained in place by a conventional bearing retainer means disposed on the shaft 87, as by large nut 113, FIG. 5. The longitudinal shaft has an external first cross sectional shape that mates with an internal cross sectional shape of the cantilever support portion 89 so as to sustain a torque load sufficient to maintain the cantilever lifting arm 75 in its substantially horizontal position, even with the weight of the trash container 21 thereon. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cantilever support portion 89 is built in the form of a square tubular member. The longitudinal shaft 91 is disposed interiorly thereof. The respective cross sectional shapes, in conjunction with suitable tracks 95 disposed intermediate the interior of the cantilever support portion 89 and the longitudinal shaft 91, coact to provide the necessary torque support for the laterally extending lifting arm 75, FIG. 5. If desired, suitable bearings, such as ball or roller bearings, may be employed to lessen friction as the longitudinal shaft 91 is extended outwardly or withdrawn inwardly telescopingly interiorly of the cantilever support portion 89. Ordinarily, however, greased tracks 95 and longitudinal shaft 91 provides a low enough friction to accommodate the requisite extending and retracting motion without unduly burdening the extending means 93.

As illustrated, the extending means 93 comprises a hydraulic ram having its cylinder end 97 connected via pin shaft 99 with the cantilever support portion 89. The hydraulic ram serving as a portion of the extending means has its piston rod 101 connected with the longitudinal shaft 91 by way of pin shaft 103. The requisite conduits are illustrated as abbreviated hoses 105 and 107 and are provided for connection with a high pressure source of fluid, such as a hydraulic pump on the vehicle 13 by way of suitable control valves, such as control valve 117, FIG. 8. The control valve 117 comprises a conventional control valve and need not be described in detail herein. It is sufficient to note that the ordinary hydraulic control valves comprise a four-way valve in which high pressure fluid is vented to the cylinder end to extend the longitudinal shaft 91, the low pressure fluid being returned to a reservoir 123, when the control lever 118 is moved into one position. When gitudinal shaft 91 at substantially to prevent irregular motion of the trash container 21 as it is lifted and inverted into its dump position by the upwardly and laterally moving pick up arm 29. As illustrated, the cantilever lifting arm 75 is welded to the longitudinal shaft 91. Any other means of affixing the two may be employed. For example, the longitudinal shaft 91 and the cantilever lifting arm 75 may be integrally formed together, if desired. On the other hand, the horizontal lifting arm 75 may be affixed to the longitudinal shaft 91 by way of a strong stud that may be bolted thereto or screwed into a threaded aperture therein. In any event, the laterally extending lifting arm 75 has sufficient structural strength, as does the longitudinal shaft, to effect a lifting and inverting of the trash container 21. The horizontal lifting arm 75 has a pair of guides 109 that are flared at their outward end and have a generally arcuate shape to facilitate engaging the loading hooks 51 and 53 with the lifting arm 75 in response to manipulation of the controls by the driver of the vehicle 13, without requiring a helper to get out and move the trash container 21. The guides 109 also serve to prevent inadvertent sliding of the trash container as it is raised into its inverted position for dumping; for example, sliding of the trash container along the cantilever lifting arm 75 because of an uneven loading terrain.

Thus, the lifting arm 75 may be raised and lowered, and moved inwardly or outwardly to engage the loading hooks 51 and 53 on the trash container 21 responsive to the extending means 93. The cantilever pick up arm 29, with or without the trash container 21 on the horizontal lifting arm 75, may be moved laterally of the vehicle by pivotal motion around the base 27 responsive to the desired force via the lifting means 31.

The lifting means 31 is connected with the vehicle 13 and with the cantilever support portion 89 so as to pivot the cantilever support portion 89 and, hence, the pick up arm 29 about the base 27 for moving the trash container 21 into its dump position. As illustrated, the lifting means 31 comprises a hydraulic ram that is connected by conduit, such as the illustrated hose 115, with a high pressure source of fluid. The other hose for the hydraulic ram is not illustrated in FIG. 1 in the interest of simplicity. As described hereinbefore with respect to the hydraulic ram employed with the extending means and as illustrated schematically in FIG. 8, however, there is another conduit that is connected with the piston rod end of the hydraulic ram serving as the lifting means 31. The pair of hoses serve as conduits to connect the hydraulic ram into a high pressure source of fluid, such as a hydraulic pump 121, by way of suitable control valve 119 located in the cab of the vehicle 13. The control valve is the conventional hydraulic valve, such as described hereinbefore with respect to the hydraulic ram employed as the extending means 93.

FIG. 8 illustrates schematically a satisfactory interconnection-of the respective hydraulic control valves 117 and 119. Therein, the respective hydraulic rams serving as the lifting means 31 and the extending means 93 are connected with" the high pressure source of fluid, such as hydraulic pump 121. Each of the hydraulic valves 1 17 and 119 are also connected with the hydraulic reservoir 123. Specifically, the hydraulic control valve 1 17 is connected with the extending means 93 by way of conduits S and 107 for operation as described hereinbefore. Similarly, the hydraulic control valve 1 19 is connected with the lifting means 31 by way of conduits 1 and 125 for operation as described hereinbefore with respect to the hydraulic control valve 117.

A limit stop 127 is provided to limit maximum movement of the lifting means 31 to prevent binding or creating of inordinately high stresses as the lifting means 31 moves the pick up arm 29 to its maximum limit, or dump position, for dumping of the trash container 21.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the loading hooks 51 are disposed a distance D, from the front edge of the top of the trash container 21 and the base 27 is disposed a distance D from the central longitudinal plane 129 of the vehicle 13 such that the pick up arm 29 may be moved to its fully extended position and automatically effect proper position of the trash container in its top inverted position for unloading, without binding of any part of the apparatus or scattering of refuse when the lifting means 31 lifts the trash container 21 by way of the pick up arm 29 to its limit stop 127.

In operation, the trash container is deposited at a chosen location; as in an alley, apartment complex, or commercial installation; for deposition of refuse therewithin. As indicated hereinbefore, the refuse may be deposited simply by manually inserting it through the upper front door 43. Periodically, a vehicle 13 makes the rounds of a plurality of the so deposited trash containers 21 and empties them into its bed 15. The driver may drive his vehicle 13 with the pick up arm 29 normally stowed at rest against the stop 127 and the longitudinal shaft 91 retracted. This is one of the advantages of this invention; namely, that there is no unsightly and view blocking protrusions of a large, cumbersome pick up means that increases the likelihood of an accident.

The driver drives his vehicle to near the trash container 21, lowers the pick up arm 29 and extends the longitudinal shaft 91 to engage the lifting arm 75 with the loading hooks 51 and 53.The respective guides 109 facilitate engaging the loading hooks 51 or 53. If he is off slightly, he may advance or back up the vehicle 13 to engage the lifting arm 75 with the loading hooks 51 and 53. In any event, the loading hooks 51 and 53 will securely attach the trash container 21 to the lifting arm 75, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The driver then supplies high pressure hydraulic fluid to the lifting means 31, hoisting the collection container toa slightly elevated position, illustrated by the first set of dashed lines 131 in FIG. 7. With the proper distances D and D the driver then advances the control lever 117 for the extending means 93 to fully extend the longitudinal shaft 91 and ensure that there is no further manipulation of this control lever required and that the trash container 21 can be lifted and inverted into its dump position without creating undue. stress or the likelihood of any damage to either the lifting mechanism, the trash con tainer 21, or the vehicle 13. Y

As the lifting arm 75 engages the trash container 21, the trash container 21 is free to rotate by gravity to align its center of gravity as it chooses. It is maintained parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truck body by the horizontal lifting arm 75, however. Consequently, the trash container 21 does not change its position to the front or rear of the vehicle 13 during the lifting operation. As the trash container 21 is lifted, it

v is moved in an arc that causes the track engaging means 57 and 59 on the trash container 21 to engage the respective tracks 23 and 25 on the bed 15 of the vehicle 13. Specifically, the two arcuate track engaging means 57 and 59 engage the tracks 23 and 25 in a straddling manner as the trash container 21 is further hoisted, as shown in dashed lines 133. The forward edge of the track engaging means illustrated as 59 engages the tracks illustrated as 23, FIG. 7, and the container 21 begins to be tilted. As it is further raised, the forward edge of the track engaging means 59 drag along the track 23, to begin to invert the trash container 21, without creating any high stress, since the moment arm effecting the inversion is almost as long as the dimension of the trash container 21. This is in contrast to the prior art structures for inverting the trash container which frequently had very short moment arms and created extremely high stresses. Expressed otherwise, the frictional drag of the lower front end of the track engaging means 59 causes the freely rotatable trash container 21 suspended by its loading hooks 51 and 53, to begin to rotate into its dump position with its track engaging means 57 and 59 fully and conformably engaging the respective tracks on the vehicle 13. As illustrated, the track engaging means 57 and 59, and the tracks 23 and 25 have the same curvature and radii so that a fit is obtained to prevent scattering of the trash. Expressed otherwise, in the dump position the arcuate track engaging means and track are matched so no trash escapes as the respective upper and lower doors 43 and 47 of the trash container are swung open by gravity to dump the contents of the trash container 21 into the bed 15. The swinging doors serve to further prevent the scatter of trash through the aperture 19 in the top of the bed 15. The fact that the fully extended cantilever arm effects this exact engagement without creating any undue stress eliminates much of the element of human error by the driver, or operator. If desired, the driver may move the control lever for the lifting means 31 to vibrate the trash container 21 in its dump position, as by moving the pick up arm 29 against the stop 127 to tap the trash container 21.

After the trash container 21 has been dumped, it may be lowered to the ground by the drivers merely reversing the control valve 119; such as, by moving the control lever to the retract position. As the trash container 21 begins to move downwardly the edge of the aperture 19 and then the bed 15 forces the lower front door 47 toward its closed position so that it can finally be closed by gravity. Gravity alone closes the upper front door 43. As the trash container 21 nears the ground, it can be positioned inwardly with respect to the truck by the retractibility of the longitudinal shaft 91. Expressed otherwise, the driver may stop the lowering of the trash container 21 by moving the lever on the control valve 119 to the neutral position and effect the desired retraction of the longitudinal shaft 91 by movement of the control lever on the control valve 117 After the desired position is obtained, the control valve 1 19 is operated to the lowering position and the trash container 21 deposited on its plot of ground, or support. Thereafter,

' the lifting arm may be moved to disengage from the loading hooks 51 and 53, be moved inwardly, and be returned to its stowed position; or the vehicle may be driven forwardly without stowing for engaging the lifting arm 75 with the next successive trash container 21 if close.

It is noteworthy that the trash container 21 has a shape that lends itself to being easily filled as the upper door swings inwardly. If desired, other openings can be made in the top and rear sections to facilitate insertion of refuse.

As the trash container is lifted into its dumping position, it is rotated through an angle a of about 100 in the embodiment that I have fabricated. By pivotally mounted and eccentrically weighted safety catches 71, gravity rotation thereof is effected to ensure that the lifting hooks 51 and 53 remain engaged with the lifting arm 75. Any other means or safety catches may be employed, if desired, as by a latch operated responsive to movement of the longitudinal shaft 91 or an additional hydraulic cylinder thereon.

Once the man skilled in this art has seen the specific illustrated embodiments, many engineering improvements and mechanical equivalents will be brought to mind. These equivalents may be employed and still be within the scope of this invention. For example, conventional rack and pinions may be employed instead of the hydraulic rams for the extending means and the lifting means if desired. The pinions may be powered by suitable electric motors in response to suitable control switches located in the cab of the vehicle 13. As is recognized, the reversible motors rotate the pinion in one direction to effect extension and in the other direction, responsive to another switch, to effect retraction.

It is noteworthy in this regard that the lifting means 31 is mounted for pivotal movement on the front end of the bed and displaced with respect to the stop 127 and the point of location of the base 27 to effect a maximum extension without introducing intolerable stresses thereinto. Moreover, the shaft 137 by which the lifting means 31 is connected to the front end of the bed 15 is disposed beneath the base 27 so as to effect a moment arm for initial lifting of the trash container 21.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that this disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for collecting and loading refuse onto a side-loading refuse collection vehicle having a refuse collection bed and a loading compartment with a topopening aperture therein comprising:

a. a trash container that includes:

i. a bottom;

ii. rear wall and side walls having adjacent ends connected together and connected with said bottom and extending upwardly. therefrom to define a body;

iii. a top connected with said rear wall and said side walls;

iv. a front wall connected with said bottom and said side walls so as to form an obtuse angle with said bottom such that refuse will be dumped from said container when it is lifted and inverted through an angle a of greater than and less than v. upper front door hingedly connected with said top; said upper front door adapted to hang in a normal closed position by gravity and adapted to be swung inwardly manually for deposition of said refuse and to be swung outwardly by the force of gravity when said container is lifted and inverted through said angle 0:;

vi. lower front door hingedly connected with said front wall and adapted to be swung outwardly open by the force of gravity when saidcontainer is lifted and inverted through said angle a and to be swung closed by said bed and gravity when said container is uprighted from its inverted and dump position; said lower front door being normally inclined inwardly from its bottom edge to its top in its closed position so as to prevent influx of rainwater into said container when left outdoors;

vii. a pair of loading hooks mounted on the top of said container; said loading hooks being disposed and spaced apart a sufficient distance that the front to rear vertical plane of the center of gravity of said container is located therebetween; said loading hooks having an opening readily accessible from the front to facilitate attachment of a lifting arm; and

viii. a pair of arcuate track engaging means for engaging a pair of tracks on said vehicle during said lifting and inverting of said container; said track engaging means being disposed one on each side of said front door such that said container is properly inverted and emptied regardless of whether the operation is carried out on level terrain or not;

b. a pair of arcuate tracks mounted on said bed of said vehicle so as to traverse along the front and 'rear sides of said aperture; said arcuate tracks serving to guide and invert said trash container into its proper dump position;

c. a base carried by said vehicle so as to accommodate laterally pivotal motion of a pick up arm;

(1. an extensible and retractable L-shaped cantilever pick up arm; said pick up arm having a cantilever support portion, a longitudinal shaft having a normally horizontal cantilever lifting arm extending perpendicularly of said longitudinal shaft near its end, and an extending means for extending and retracting said longitudinal shaft; said longitudinal shaft having an external first cross sectional shape that mates with an internal cross sectional shape of said cantilever support portion so as to sustain a torque load sufficient to maintain said cantilever lifting arm in its substantially horizontal position; said cantilever lifting arm having a pair of guides to facilitate engaging said lifting hooks of said trash container and prevent inadvertent sliding of said trash container along said cantilever lifting arm; said cantilever pick up arm being pivotally mounted on said base by way of its cantilever support portion so as to accommodate movement laterally of said bed; arid lifting means connected with said vehicle and with said cantilever support portion so as to pivot said cantilever support portion and said cantilever pick up arm about said base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the degree of arcuateness of said track engaging means is the sameas the degree of arcuateness of said tracks at least at the top inserted and dump position of said trash container for unloading such that a conforming fit is obtained and scatter of refuse is prevented during dumping.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a limit stop is provided to limit maximum movement of said lifting means; and said loading hooks are disposed on said said cantilever pick up arm is proportioned such that said cantilever pick up arm may be moved to its fully extendedposition and automatically effects proper position of said trash container in its top inverted position for unloading without binding of any part of said apparatus or scattering'of refuse when said lifting means lifts said trash container via said cantilever pick up arm to its limit stop.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said loading hooks on said trash container each have a respective safety catch for preventing said trash container from becomming disengaged from said cantilever lifting arm when said trash container is inverted into its dump position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lifting means is a hydraulic ram and said extending means comprises a hydraulic ram; said rams being connected with a high pressure source of fluid on said vehicle via respective conduits and control valves. 

1. Apparatus for collecting and loading refuse onto a sideloading refuse collection vehicle having a refuse collection bed and a loading compartment with a top-opening aperture therein comprising: a. a trash container that includes: i. a bottom; ii. rear wall and side walls having adjacent ends connected together and connected with said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom to define a body; iii. a top connected with said rear wall and said side walls; iv. a front wall connected with said bottom and said side walls so as to form an obtuse angle with said bottom such that refuse will be dumped from said container when it is lifted and inverted through an angle Alpha of greater than 90* and less than 180*; v. upper front door hingedly connected with said top; said upper front door adapted to hang in a normal closed position by gravity and adapted to be swung inwardly manually for deposition of said refuse and to be swung outwardly by the force of gravity when said container is lifted and inverted through said angle Alpha ; vi. lower front door hingedly connected with said front wall and adapted to be swung outwardly open by the force of gravity when said container is lifted and inverted through said angle Alpha and to be swung closed by said bed and gravity when said container is uprighted from its inverted and dump position; said lower front door being normally inclined inwardly from its bottom edge to its top in its closed position so as to prevent influx of rainwater into said container when left outdoors; vii. a pair of loading hooks mounted on the top of said container; said loading hooks being disposed and spaced apart a sufficient distance that the front to rear vertical plane of the center of gravity of said container is located therebetween; said loading hooks having an opening readily accessible from the front to facilitate attachment of a lifting arm; and viii. a pair of arcuate track engaging means for engaging a pair of tracks on said vehicle during said lifting and inverting of said container; said track engaging means being disposed one on each side of said front door such that said container is properly inverted and emptied regardless of whether the operation is carried out on level terrain or not; b. a pair of arcuate tracks mounted on said bed of said vehicle so as to traverse along the front and rear sides of said aperture; said arcuate tracks serving to guide and invert said trash container into its proper dump position; c. a base carried by said vehicle so as to accommodate laterally pivotal motion of a pick up arm; d. an extensible and retractable L-shaped cantilever pick up arm; said pick up arm having a cantilever support portion, a longitudinal shaft having a normally horizontal cantilever lifting arm extending perpendicularly of said longitudinal shaft near its end, and an extending means for extending and retracting said longitudinal shaft; said longitudinal shaft having an external first cross sectional shape that mates with an internal cross sectional shape of said cantilever support portion so as to sustain a torque load sufficient to maintain said cantilever lifting arm in its substantially horizontal position; said cantilever lifting arm having a pair of guides to facilitate engaging said lifting hooks of said trash container and prevent inadvertent sliding of said trash container along said cantilever lifting arm; said cantilever pick up arm being pivotally mounted on said base by way of its cantilever support portion so as to accommodate movement laterally of said bed; and e. lifting means connected with said vehicle and with said cantilever support portion so as to pivot said cantilever support portion and said cantilever pick up arm about said base.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the degree of arcuateness of said track engaging means is the same as the degree of arcuateness of said tracks at least at the top inserted and dump position of said trash container for unloading such that a conforming fit is obtained and scatter of refuse is prevented during dumping.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a limit stop is provided to limit maximum movement of said lifting means; and said loading hooks are disposed on said trash container a distance D1 from the front edge of said top and said base is disposed a distance D2 from the central longitudinal plane of said vehicle bed and said cantilever pick up arm is proportioned such that said cantilever pick up arm may be moved to its fully extended position and automatically effects proper position of said trash container in its top inverted position for unloading without binding of any part of said apparatus or scattering of refuse when said lifting means lifts said trash container via said cantilever pick up arm to its limit stop.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said loading hooks on said trash container each have a respective safety catch for preventing said trash container from becomming disengaged from said cantilever lifting arm when said trash container is inverted into its dump position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lifting means is a hydraulic ram and said extending means comprises a hydraulic ram; said rams being connected with a high pressure source of fluid on said vehicle via respective conduits and control valves. 